Escape
Dobby appeared outside Severus's house seconds later. He peeked in the window, looking for the Potions Master. Inside the house, he could see a thin man with light brown hair staring despondently at the floor. Another man, with black curly hair, was sitting beside him, apparently trying to talk to him. A little boy with black hair was sitting on the floor with a set of blocks, but he didn't seem to be playing with them. He saw the Potions Master, sitting in the armchair beside the boy, looking as sad as the others. There was a phoenix perched on his shoulder, but the magnificent bird looked just as upset as the others. They is missing my new Mistress, Dobby thought, after I give them Mistress's message, then they will be being happy, I hope.
The tiny elf popped into the room, startling them all. Severus was the first to react; he remembered Dobby from his time at Malfoy Manor.
"What are you doing here Dobby?" Severus asked, catching sight of the letter in his hand, "Did Lucius send you with a ransom note?"
"Oh no Master Potions Master, Dobby is not working for old Master anymore. Little Master be freeing Dobby, and Mistress Potions Mistress be paying Dobby for taking a note to Master Potions Master."
"Master Potions Master?" Sirius asked, slightly amused in spite of the situation. Severus waved the comment aside and took the letter from Dobby, reading his sister's hurried writing.
"What does it say? Is she alright? Where is she being kept?" Remus asked quickly, his questions tumbling over one another in his haste.
"Calm down Lupin, and I'll tell you," Severus sighed, before reading the note aloud.
I don't know how long it will be before Malfoy comes back, so I'll make this quick. I'm being held in a cell in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. Lucius has my wand, and I'm sure there are wards up that let him know if I use my spare wand. DO NOT come for me yourselves, you'll be playing right along with his plans. He needs us for some ritual. I will need help escaping from my cell, and I will not be alone. Draco is coming with me. Send Fawkes for us as soon as you get this. I'm fine, don't worry. I love you all (yes even you mutt).
Alyssa
There was silence for a moment after Severus finished reading the letter.
"A ritual? What is Malfoy planning now?" Sirius asked exasperatedly. "Can't that git find something better to do?"
"We'll have to get her out of there," Remus said determinedly. He was relieved that Alyssa was apparently alright, but he wouldn't believe it until she was standing in front of him.
"How to do that without going there?" Severus mused. "Fawkes could flash there and back, but her wand would still be in Malfoy's hands."
"Dobby could be getting it. Dobby is knowing where old Master be hiding Mistress Potions Mistress's wand, and Dobby can be getting it for you," the little elf said happily.
"Could you bring Alyssa back with you as well?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Yes Master Black, Dobby is able to be doing that."
"How did you know…?" Sirius asked, then shook his head, "Nevermind. Go and find Alyssa's wand, then bring her back here please."
"Yes Master Black," Dobby said, bowing once before disappearing with a sharp crack.
Back in the cell, Alyssa was telling Draco about what he'd expect when they got back.
"We can decorate you room in your favorite colors. During the day, you would have to come to the shop with me if Remus is working as well, but Harry will be there so you won't have to worry about being bored."
"Harry? Oh, he's your nephew," Draco said, recalling the beginning of their conversation when they discussed her family.
"Correct," she said, tensing as she heard footsteps in the corridor outside their cell.
Lucius opened the door and strode in, seeming displeased to see his heir still sitting beside his traitorous godmother.
"Draco," he snapped, "Why are you still here?"
Draco took that to mean that his Father didn't want him in the Manor anymore, and replied, "Because Auntie's still here."
Lucius frowned. He had his work cut out for him to turn Draco into a respectable pureblood. "Insolent, impudent brat," he sneered, making Draco cling even more tightly to Alyssa. "I'll teach you how to behave." He drew his wand and pointed it at Draco.
Alyssa quickly stood, standing between Draco and his father's wand. "You'd attack children Malfoy? I always knew you were a coward."
"Coward? I'll show you a coward you filthy half-blood. Crucio," he snarled.
Alyssa's knees buckled and a scream tore itself from her throat as she felt a pain she hadn't felt in three years. Gritting her teeth to hold in another scream, Alyssa looked away from Lucius, who was smirking in delight. Instead, she focused on Draco, trying mutely to reassure him. She saw fear, concern, and guilt on his face, and she wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault but she knew that if she opened her mouth she would scream. Finally, Lucius lowered his wand, smirking at the sight of Alyssa kneeling in front of him. "Look closely Draco," he called over his shoulder as he left, "That is the proper place for trash like that."
Draco glared at the closing door before sliding off the bed and hurrying to his aunt's side, noticing the blood falling from her palms where she dug her nails in. She was shaking, and he didn't think it had to do with how cold the dungeon was. This is all my fault, he thought, tears coating his pale face as he knelt by his protector.
"Auntie?" he choked out, hoping she was alright.
"I'm fine Draco," she replied, her voice a little shaky. She moved so that she was sitting instead of kneeling, resting her back against the edge of the cot. "Come here little Dragon. I promise I'll be fine." She opened her arms, pulling him into her lap and humming softly, trying to make him forget what it sounded like when she screamed in pain and ignoring the blood on her hands. They sat like that until a noise distracted them. Looking up, both Alyssa and Draco gaped as Dobby appeared, holding Alyssa's wand.
"How…?" Alyssa asked, trailing off as she replaced the wand in its holster.
"Master Black told Dobby to get Mistress Potions Mistress and her wand, so that is what Dobby is doing. Dobby can be taking you home now, if that is being ok."
"Yes please Dobby," Alyssa replied, tightening her hold on Draco, "Take us home, to my family."